Two-time defending McNamara Cup champions will look to kick-start their 2024 campaign when they host unbeaten Bombay at Mountfort Park on Saturday.
The 2022 and 2023 champions have got off to a slow start, dropping their opening three matches, albeit against strong sides and in close contests.
Jeremy Clark and his side have been in this position before and are far from hitting the panic button.
“We have played reasonably well against Karaka, Pukekohe and Patumahoe,” Clark told Counties Sports Hub.
“We have a few little things we need to improve, and we are working on those, but we haven’t missed by much.
“I have no doubt that our first win is just around the corner.”
He will face a Bombay outfit that has enjoyed a solid start to the season with a draw against Papakura and a comfortable win over Ardmore Marist last week.
“Bombay will be a challenge and we are looking forward to that. We need to meet their physicality and control the game up front,” Clark added.
Top-of-the-table Patumahoe travels to Karaka Sports Complex for a clash between two unbeaten sides.
Patumahoe had to work hard to overcome Manurewa last weekend while Karaka came from behind to knock over Pukekohe at Colin Lawrie Fields.
The game shapes as an epic contest, in a replay of last year’s semi-final, won by Karaka.
Papakura will chase their first win of the season when they head to Bruce Pulman Park to play Ardmore Marist.
The Jarrod Firth/Mark Thomas coached outfit picked up a draw against Bombay a fortnight ago before a bye last weekend and will need a win to keep pace with the other contenders.
To four side Waiuku hosts last season’s runners-up Te Kohanaga at Rugby Park in Waiuku in Sid Marshall Shield action.
Top-of-the-table Weymouth hosts Puni at Laurie Gibbons Reserve while Onewhero travels to Drury to face the defending champions.
Te Kauwhata chase a much-needed win when they host Manurewa while Maramarua hosts Tuakau.
Neighbours Patumahoe and Pukekohe meet in a key early season Massey Cup U21 game at Patumahoe while in the other match two-time reigning champs Karaka travel to Bruce Pulman Park to play an impressive Ardmore Marist outfit.
Onewhero heads up the motorway to face Weymouth in the Bright Cup U19 competition this week while in other matches, Waiuku hosts Ardmore Marist and Manurewa takes on Auckland side Puketapapa.
In the Under 85kg grade, defending champions Waiuku hosts Onewhero while Patumahoe heads to Te Puru Park to face Beachlands Maraetai in the Counties Energy Game of the Week.
Drury tackles Pukekohe at Colin Lawrie Fields.
Manurewa Premier Women are back at home at Mountfort Park as they chase a win against Silverdale while in the Premier Development grade, there are two local derby match-ups.
Unbeaten Patumahoe hosts Pukekohe in a mouth-watering clash while newcomers Karaka take on a Papakura side coming off a win last start at Massey Park.
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